Bipolar Disorder and Work

I often get letters like the one below:

Hi Julie

“My greatest problem is Work. Please dedicate as much Time to work issues as possible. Most specifically, the alternative ways for people with BP (and other chronic illnesses) to survive and earn a living.”

I haven’t been able to work full time since 1995. I should say- I haven’t been able to work consistently since 1995. That changed last year when my meds and treatment plan just started working a lot better.  I now face another problem. I’m able to work a lot more, but I don’t really know how to do it. I don’t have an office. I tend to drive around looking for places to work. When I have a good day I just want to hang out and enjoy it. There were SO few good days in the past. On the tough days, I have trouble focusing. I get overwhelmed with all [ Read More ]





Bipolar I: My Friend Sherri

My friend Sherri has been sick off and on for a few years. She had a bad manic/psychotic episode two years ago and had to stay on quite high doses of Zyprexa to keep the mania from coming back.

I often write about Sherri- I call her my hero.

So, I just talked with her- she is doing  SO well. It took a long time, but the real Sherri is back and she sounds great.  Her doctor wants her to stay on a low dose of the Zyprexa as there are no serious side effects. She still takes her lithium.

Sherri saw her doctor yesterday. She talked about her anxiety – the doctor said,  “Sherri, you have to find ways to deal with anxiety without using the Klonopin.” Sherri knows this is true- but it’s hard. Sometimes the anti anxiety meds are not what works the best- we have to find ways to reduce our [ Read More ]





Fantastic Radio Show and a Flooded Basement

Fantastic Radio Show and a Flooded Basement

I just finished my final live radio show for the season. I interviewed Terri Cheney- the author of the bestselling memoir, Manic. We talked about memoir writing- it was so much fun and great encouragement for everyone who wants to write about their experiences.

The radio show has been really stressful for me- lots of anxiety. It hasn’t really been all bipolar anxiety- I know what that feels like- it has been the kind of anxiety disorder anxiety. Believe me, it’s awful. I love the hours in the studio. It’s the hours up to it that cause me trouble.

But anyway! Today’s show was fantastic. And then I got home…..

My basement was flooded. Hmm.

I am glad the show went so well. I’m super glad my roommate was home and caught it early. I’m extremely glad I’m not depressed.

But gosh! Can’t I [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Work

I Feel Better When I Work

It’s ridiculous that I can spend more time worrying about work than working.

Fact: Two hours of worrying about work leads to two hours of more worry. And nothing gets done.

Fact: Two hours of actual work saves hours and hours of worry and things actually get done.

Julie





MANIC: Terri Cheney on the Julie Fast Radio Show

Hi all, I have an exciting guest this Sunday on my radio show. Terri Cheney, the author of the bestselling memoir MANIC will be the guest.

We will talk about writing mental health memoirs. So many people write and ask me how they can get their story in print- who better to ask than a successful mental health writer like Terri!

I’ve read a lot of bipolar disorder memoirs- and have enjoyed them all- Terri’s is different than many because of its literary style. It reads like a novel. This isn’t easy to do!

You can visit juliefast.com/radio to read more about the show.

Julie





Depression and Suicide

I just received this comment on the blog I wrote on bipolar depression:

“ I want to die. Can you help me please. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I don’t want to live anymore.”

It’s hard to get these emails- not because they shock me- they don’t, but because I wish I could sit across from the person and tell them why they feel the way they do and that they can get through this.

Since I can’t actually look at the person, I will write them here.

Hi. I’ve been suicidal so many times I can no longer count the episodes.  Suicidal thoughts are a completely normal part of bipolar disorder. We get depressed, manic, anxious and paranoid, just to name a few- and we also get suicidal.

Wanting to die is actually something different than it seems- it’s actually wanting to end the pain that comes with bipolar disorder depression. I [ Read More ]





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